Hey guys, some of you might've seen me trolling around, but now I'm posting so here we go.

I just recently got a 96 Civic EX. I don't really know much about cars so i'm looking for the cheapest, easiest, and probably less performance-enhancing mods as that typically requires knowledge of cars. Most of mine will probably be looks-wise. I don't have any pictures right now, but its just a stock EX, nothing special... you seen one stock you've seen them all.

The things I plan on doing:

Headlights/grille: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/96-97...spagenameZWDVW

Type R lip/bumper kit of some sort.

Wheels: Either


MB Tucson

or


Enkei DM5

I'm leaning towards the Tucsons but the Enkei's just became available at the shop I got to and they're nice and pretty cheap. BTW I don't like black rims so please don't suggest them. I know that seems to be the typical go to kind of wheel around here.

I might get around to getting some S-Tech springs and lowering it sometime, but again that's getting on the somewhat technical side (yes I know it's easy... told you I don't know anything about cars). I/H/E falls into this catagory as well. If I do get around to getting any of these things I'll want to install them myself, so I'm sure I'll have a barrage of questions at that time.

Any comments/suggestions? I've seen things about ebay headlights being leaky/bad ebay sellers, so that might be an issue. Also, is it possible to remove the metal/chrome-like molding around the windows? When I switch out the grile it'll look really weird if that stuff is still on there. Not sure if you can remove it tho, and if you can if it'll look good or if you can replace it with something in a black tone. I also plan on perhaps one day getting it painted yellow with black accents (like keeping the headlights and grille black). I'm sure "bumble bee" comments are on the way for that one, but I love yellow as a car color.

Tell me whatcha think.

 

Lip kit and grill is a good idea. And just seal the headlights up with silicone when you get them. I would go for the second pair of rims too, they look sick.

 

Yeah I was really happy when I saw those Enkei's become available. Really like the look and the color of them. They're also cheaper than the first ones, which is always a plus in my book. Not entirely sure if i'm gonna get the grille, if I cant remove the chrome molding I don't want a new grille. Just seems like it would look really off to me.. I either want chrome or no chrome at all.

 

What color is your car?

To be honest, I really don't like either set of rims, but hey, if you like 'em, rock 'em.

As far as springs go, if you don't wanna do it yourself, pay someone to do it. You're gonna have to pay for an alignment anyways.

And if you need help putting stuff in, let people know where you're at. Most of the guys on this forum will be happy to lend you a hand.

 

My car is black, guess I forgot to mention that.

It's not that I don't wanna do it myself, i like doing things myself. I just don't know crap about cars and don't wanna mess anything up. i don't have the money or time to screw up my car. In that case sometimes paying someone is a better option, but I'm tight on both time and money.

I figured most people here wouldn't like my choice in rims, judging from the posts I've seen, but I like em and have never been a big fan of the more racing oriented or black rims. I don't plan on racing my car and I'm pretty much just wanting to have something that looks nice.

I live in Springfield, IL and I'd be surprised if anyone lived anywhere near me.

 

second ones look much better.

 

Well after doing some searching I found that you can remove moulding around the door. Looks like work needs to be done to smooth it out after removing it tho, which I wouldn't want to do. haven't been able to find black replacement moulding either.

Maybe I can just rattle can the moulding black.... hmmm. I guess that begs the question.. is it replacable? Like can I take it off and put it back on? Seems like I should be able to.

 

Or you can always tape newspaper to the car and spray the molding while still on the car.

 

Get a buddy to help you lower it, its not too hard. You really should drop it a bit before putting wheels/tires on it, Civics look dumb with big wheels and stock ride height

 

+1 for all of that ^

For I/H/E, you'll find alot of answers by using the Search feature here on the forum, most I/H/E questions have been covered at one time or another.

And if you're gonna get new wheels, definitely drop it. Theres a DIY here on the site about it. Good luck though